through the descent of the great bird by the Great Spirit, he spoke to
the following effect:

"I have listened to the words of the wise men and brave chiefs, but it is
not fitting that we should do a thing of so much importance in haste; it
is a subject demanding calm reflection and mature deliberation. Let us
postpone the decision for one day. During this time we will weigh well
the words of the speakers who have already spoken. If they are good, I
will then approve of them. If they are not, I will then open to you my
plan. It is one which I have reflected on, and feel confident that it
will insure safety."

When another day had expired, the council again met. Hiawatha entered the
assembly with even more than ordinary attention, and every eye was fixed
upon him, when he began to address the council in the following words:

"Friends and Brothers:--You being members of many tribes, you have come
from a great distance; the voice of war has aroused you up; you are
afraid of your homes, your wives and your children; you tremble for your
safety. Believe me, I am with you. My heart beats with your hearts. We
are one. We have one common object. We come to promote our common
interest, and to determine how this can be best done.

"To oppose those hordes of northern tribes, singly and alone, would prove
certain destruction. We can make no progress in that way. We must unite
ourselves into one common band of brothers. We must have but one voice.
Many voices makes confusion. We must have one fire, one pipe and one war
club. This will give us strength. If our warriors are united they can
defeat the enemy and drive them from our land; if we do this, we are
safe.